The Naperville District 203 School Board has asked district administrators to cut nearly $12.4 million out of the projected 2026-27 budget when its submitted for their review in May.

Board members were briefed Monday on an updated look at the five-year financial forecast, which indicates years of deficits are ahead.

The 2025-26 fiscal year budget is expected to end about $5.3 million in the red, and future budgets beyond the 2026-27 fiscal year will continually get worse if nothing changes, district documents show.

The fiscal year 2027-28 budget deficit is forecast to be about $14.8 million and fiscal year 2028-29 is likely to have an $18.5 million funding gap between revenue and expenditures, drawing down the district’s surplus balance, documents show.

“Next year’s current projected deficit remains greater than $12 million and will continue to grow as annual expected expenditures outpace the change to expected revenue,” district Chief Financial Officer Mike Frances said.

In light of those numbers, the board wants the administration to put together a balanced budget for the upcoming fiscal year that would include a combination of increased revenue sources and spending cuts.

Frances said the district plans to advocate that lawmakers in Springfield provide for more state revenue so that funding levels more accurately reflect the cost of state mandates.

For instance, if the state fully funded transportation expenses, the district would receive an extra $2.3 million, Board President Charles Cush said.

“Because they are not fully funding it, that’s $2.3 million we have to make up from other things,” Cush said. “And the cost of transportation continues to increase year after year.”

Frances acknowledged that any requests for state funding are unikely to produce more money for the next budget.

“I’m not going to be rolling the dice thinking the state is going to fund more,” he said.

School board members and district staff plan to attend a lobby day in Springfield and advocate for increased funding, joining the Illinois Association of School Boards, Illinois Association of School Administrators and Illinois Association of School Business Officials in the push.

Increasing fees could be another source of new revenue, but wouldn’t cover the deficit, Frances said. Fees make up about 1% of the budget, he said.

“It would help close that gap, but is certainly not going to solve the problem,” he said.

The district also plans to reduce discretionary spending, eliminate or scale back nonessential expenses, consolidate duplicative resources and streamline staffing to align positions to current enrollment and student needs, Frances said.

Various departments are in the process of preparing their budget requests, Superintendent Dan Bridges said. The administration is also going through its staffing projections, which will be brought to the board in March.

Looking at the expenditures would help the district close the gap the most, Bridges said.

Member Holly Blastic said she would like as few student-facing educators to be impacted as possible.

“We want as many educators and staff hands-on with our kids as possible,” she said. “The fees aren’t going to make the difference. Springfield, at least this year, isn’t going to make the difference. As hard as it is, I do recognize that nipping this now and addressing it now is going to save us money down the line.”

Board member Joe Kozminski said the board will likely face tough decisions, but they are “the right thing to do in the long run.”

“We need the finances healthy for the long term,” he said. “If we keep pushing it forward, it’s just going to compound.”

The school board on Monday also heard options for increased fees, which will be voted on at the Feb. 17 meeting. On the table are increases for early childhood education, the 6th-grade heart monitor strap and driver’s education.

A proposal for the Ann Reid Preschool would increase the monthly cost from $265 for half day preschool to $300, if approved. Full day preschool would increase from $580 to $650 monthly.

General school fees are proposed to increase anywhere from $2 to $4 depending on grade level.

The heart monitor used by the 6th grade would increase from $18.25 to $32.

About 90% of high school course fees will be unchanged for the 2026-27 school year, officials said. Typically, the district charges fees for classes that require workbooks, novels or lab supplies and any changes reflect increases in publisher prices or printing costs or revisions to the curriculum.

Driver’s education is proposed to increase from $400 to $500 for the semester-long course. Even with an increase, it doesn’t cover all the costs necessary to run the program, Bridges said.

Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/03/naperville-203-budget-deficit-cuts/ 

A 19-year-old motorist was killed Monday in Grayslake when he crashed his car into a vehicle that was making a left turn into his path, according to police.

The collision happened at 2:13 p.m. at the intersection of Washington Street and Atkinson Road, police said.

According to authorities, the man was headed east on Washington in a Volkswagen when he collided with a Toyota SUV being driven by an 86-year-old woman.

Police said the woman was headed west on Washington and was attempting to make a left turn onto southbound Atkinson at the time of the crash. After the collision, the Volkswagen left the road and crashed into a light pole.

The 19-year-old was brought to Advocate Condell Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The elderly woman driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

The identity of the deceased motorist has not yet been released.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/03/fatal-grayslake-crash/ 

Of course it would take those mischievous Minions to thrust what has become a yearslong musical nightmare for figure skaters into the global spotlight just days before they step onto the ice for the Milano Cortina Olympics.

Spanish skater Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabate revealed this week that the music he has used all season, a medley from the animated comedy film “Minions” from Illumination Entertainment, could not be used in the biggest event of his career.

“I was informed that I am no longer permitted to use this program due to copyright clearance issues,” Sabate explained Monday, four days before the opening ceremony. “I will face this challenge head-on and do everything I can to make the best of the situation.”

Sabate is not considered a medal contender, but he had won over crowds with his Minions program, where he dresses in a yellow T-shirt and blue overalls to invoke those cheeky characters. But now, the 26-year-old will have to turn to one of his old programs when he takes the ice at the Milano Ice Skating Arena for the men’s short program next Tuesday.

Even that is not so simple: Sabate’s short program last season was set to music by the Bee Gees, and he used the same music for this year’s free skate. That means he would be in the unenviable position of skating twice to the same music.

Music with lyrics was first permitted in 2014

For years, skaters never had copyright issues because music with lyrics was verboten. And most standard fare, such as classical music, was considered to be public domain, meaning it could be used or modified freely and without permission.

In 2014, the International Skating Union relaxed its rules to allow words in music, part of a push toward bringing the sport into the modern era. But most modern music is not part of the public domain, and that led to issues during the 2022 Beijing Games.

U.S. pairs skaters Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier had been using a cover of “House of the Rising Sun” by Heavy Young Heathens for their short program. Afterward, the indie pop band said the skaters did not receive permission, ultimately filing copyright lawsuits against the skaters, U.S. Figure Skating and broadcaster NBC.

The ISU and national governing bodies have spent the past four years trying to develop systems to help skaters obtain permission to use music. But the process remains confusing and nebulous. Sabate, for example, said he followed the prescribed procedure for getting his music approved through a system called ClicknClear in August, before the figure skating season began.

A spokesperson for the ISU said it was aware of Sabate’s problem and would provide more details when appropriate.

“While the ISU does not have a contractual relationship with ClicknClear,” the organization said, “we continue to work collaboratively with rights clearance stakeholders to ensure that thrilling performances can be accompanied by stirring music.”

“It’s very complicated, especially when it comes to social media,” ISU president Jae Youl Kim told The Associated Press in a recent interview. “We are still engaging with the music companies. They understand the issue and they also want to find a solution.”

Skaters are responsible for clearing their music

U.S. Figure Skating has been working with ASCAP, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, along with BMI, or Broadcast Music Inc., to help ensure that its skaters have no problems with their music choices.

Still, it remains up to the skaters themselves to ensure their music is cleared.

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One of the ways to do that is by checking Songview, a database developed by ASCAP and BMI to provide detailed information about copyright ownership. If music is not recorded there, skaters might have to go directly to the artist or publisher.

World champion Alysa Liu has developed such a good relationship with one of her favorite artists, Icelandic-Chinese singer Laufey Lín Bing Jónsdóttir, that the American essentially has carte blanche to use her music in any programs.

“We are such an artistic spot and we really rely on our music,” Liu said told AP. “Without music, we’re not really our sport.”

Liu’s teammate, three-time U.S. champion Amber Glenn, called her own experience in getting music approved “pure chaos.”

“First we get a website or some sort of application to track things. And then once we’re like, ‘OK, yeah, it’s cleared. It’s good,’ then it’s not a reliable source anymore,” Glenn told the AP. “OK, then what do we do? And especially as an athlete, this is not something that we should be worrying about. That’s not my job. My job is to train and perform.

“The legal rights, the broadcast rights?” Glenn said. “All this different stuff, that’s not my problem.”

Until it becomes her problem. Just like it did for Sabate on the eve of the Olympics, the biggest competition of his life.

“It’s not like we’re a TV show and we’re playing music in the background for an emotional scene,” Glenn said. “We’re going out there and performing as athletes. It just feels like a cash grab for different companies, and it’s really upsetting that they can’t just appreciate that their music has inspired something creative.”

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/03/olympics-minions-music-figure-skating/ 

EU Pushes Rare Earth Mineral Partnership With US To Cut China Reliance

Tyler Durden
Tue, 02/03/2026 – 13:00

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/eu-pushes-rare-earth-mineral-partnership-us-cut-china-reliance 

Novo Nordisk Shares Sink After Sales Outlook Misses As US GLP-1 Competition Intensifies

Tyler Durden
Tue, 02/03/2026 – 12:45

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/novo-nordisk-shares-sink-after-sales-outlook-misses-us-glp-1-competition-intensifies 

A Merrillville woman was in the process of evicting her daughter and two adult grandchildren from her home after an argument between her and the daughter got heated.

Her two grandchildren, in their 20s, ended up shot.

Lenora Beach, 59, is charged with attempted murder and two counts of aggravated battery.

She is in custody, held on a $9,000 cash bond.

Merrillville Police responded just before 8 p.m. Jan. 30 to the 5400 block of Maryland Street for a domestic disturbance.

Beach’s daughter screamed to responding officers that her children were wounded inside.

Beach was standing behind her grandchildren, who were on the ground. She held a cell phone and black Smith & Wesson 442 revolver.

Officers ordered her to put both down and come outside. She was arrested peacefully.

Beach’s granddaughter was shot in the side. She begged officers to “not let her die,” according to the affidavit, telling them she “could not feel her hand.”

Paramedics soon arrived. A doctor later said she was shot in her kidney.

Her grandson also appeared to be shot. A bullet lodged in his pelvis.

“She tried to attack my mom, and she shot me,” he told officers at the scene.

Police also found a 9-mm Mossberg semi-automatic pistol and Remington shotgun elsewhere in the house.

Beach was taken to the hospital — she complained of chest pains and said her daughter bit her finger.

She was released and taken to the police station.

Court records show Beach was granted an eviction order Jan. 14 to kick out her daughter, granddaughter and “other occupants.”

Beach told police in an interview that she gave her daughter a Feb. 1 deadline to leave.

That day, Beach claimed her daughter got into an argument, first about moving cars to get a U-Haul truck closer to the house. Before the shooting, they allegedly called the police on each other.

Beach said she locked the garage door and told her daughter to use the side door, which police concluded set events in motion.

They got into another argument, and Beach claimed her daughter hit her in the face. She told officers that she was “nervous,” partly since she “broke” her back after an injury as a crane operator.

He claimed her grandson grabbed her and choked her, then her granddaughter started punching her from behind.

Afterwards, she was “in shock.”

She claimed her face was covered when she pulled out the gun and pulled the trigger twice — shooting once forward and backward. Police discounted her self-defense claims, saying she didn’t have defensive wounds.

The daughter admitted biting Beach’s finger.

Her next hearing is Feb. 13.

mcolias@post-trib.com

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/03/merrillville-woman-charged-after-shooting-two-grandchildren-in-fight/ 

Out of retirement and ready to prove himself again, national ski jump record-holder and Wauconda native Kevin Bickner is returning to the Olympic stage for a third time this month, sharing what it’s like going from rookie to team veteran, and how he balances the sport with a “normal life” after reigniting his motivation.

Bickner previously competed in the 2018 and 2022 Olympics. In 2017, he set the current American national ski jumping record, flying 244.5 meters, about 802 feet, during a jump in Vikersund, Norway. That’s a distance of nearly two and a quarter football fields, and just 80 feet short of the entire length of the Titanic.

Ski jumping is one of the original Winter Olympic sports, and as Bickner explained, it has a simple premise: “You go down a giant ramp, and when you hit the end, you jump, lay over your skis and try to fly as far down the hill as you possibly can.”

It is good to be back for Bickner, although he’s taking up a different role this time. Not only is he the oldest on the U.S. jumping team, but he’s also the only one who isn’t a rookie to the Games.

“It’s this thing they’ve dreamed about since they were little kids, and I did too when I was younger,” he said. “They’re very excited.”

While it is a good sign that he’s able to stay at this level of competition year after year, he said it is “strange” to recall how he felt when he first came to the Olympics compared to today. Being a veteran has its benefits, but it also means more responsibilities to the team, he said.

“When you’re on the opposite end of the spectrum, you think it’s going to be like that forever. Then slowly, year by year, things change, and before you know it, you’re the guy that people look to. You’re the experienced one, and you have to take on more of a leadership role,” Bickner said.

Norge Ski Club

Bickner has been skiing since he was 9 years of age, when he joined the Norge Ski Club in Fox River Grove. Both his parents were avid skiers, and he developed a love for the sport far above the norm for a kid his age. His parents were supportive of him when he discovered ski jumping, he said.

While there are inherent risks involved in ski jumping and his mother can still worry, she “knows the tendencies I have,” Bickner said. “She was kind of glad that I used that energy that I had in a more controlled way.”

The feeling of ski jumping is “kind of indescribable,” he said. Short of skydiving or flying a plane, there aren’t really any other ways to experience it, Bickner said.

“There’s nothing like it,” he said. “You have the speed, you have the flight; almost like a gliding and feeling of pressure building up underneath you, and it lifts you.”

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The Norge Ski Club has become something of an incubator for Olympic athletes in the region, sending three to the Beijing Olympics in 2022, including Bickner.

His third showing at the Olympics will be good for the club’s publicity, Bickner said, and he is happy to help grow the sport. The Norge Ski Club has a lot of unfamiliar faces today, he said, but Bickner took that as a good sign. It means new people are joining the sport.

Although he now lives in Utah, Bickner still gets messages from high school classmates and keeps in touch with those he met in Lake County’s skiing community.

2026 Winter Olympics

Although Bickner is the oldest on the jumping team this year, it doesn’t necessarily mean this is his last year competing at this level. What the future looks like is “entirely up to me,” he said. On the physical side, he’s far from the oldest person in the sport.

“If I wanted to keep doing it, I could for sure keep doing it,” Bickner said.

The question is more about mindset. Bickner has already retired once from the sport, back in 2022 after the Beijing Olympics, when burnout pushed him away. Bickner said he wanted “a normal life.”

But after encouragement from many people in his life, Bickner decided to return, admitting he still wants to prove a few things.

“There was always a little part of me that thought that I never accomplished what I was capable of in the sport,” Bickner said. “That was always in the back of my head: ‘What if?’”

Between a stellar last season and making the Olympics, Bickner said he feels good about coming out of retirement. And he returns with greater maturity and a healthier mental approach, he said.

Part of that is a separation of his work and personal life. Ski jumping is his job, Bickner said, and today he can become friends with someone for months before his ski jumping and Olympic career ever comes up, although he admitted to having some fun seeing their reactions.

“It’s a big part of my life, but it doesn’t need to be every part of my life,” Bickner said.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/03/ski-jumper-lake-county-olympics/ 

Could East Aurora’s Jamir Malone be back where he belongs?

It appears so.

A 6-foot sophomore guard, Malone returned to the city for this school year with his family’s move back to Illinois from Arizona. They had gone west when Jamir was in fifth grade.

Malone, one of seven newcomers for the Tomcats at the start of what has become a somewhat tumultuous season, has settled in nicely after making the jump to varsity.

“We pretty much had an almost new team,” Malone said. “Before the season started, we were like hanging out, bonding and trying to get our team chemistry up.

“I’m not gonna lie, I was definitely surprised I’m a starter because I’m an underclassmen as a sophomore on a team with a lot of juniors. It’s been really fun, being able to build relationships with the guys and coaches.”

East Aurora’s Jamir Malone (32) shoots a free throw against Aurora Central Catholic during a nonconference game in Aurora on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News)

The fun continued Monday, but the Tomcats had to survive some tense moments before squeaking past visiting Aurora Central Catholic for a 63-61 nonconference win at Ernie Kivisto Gymnasium.

Malone, who earned a starting job in the preseason and hasn’t given it up, did his part by scoring 12 points and grabbing six rebounds with two steals for East Aurora (11-13).

He had played on the freshman team last season at his school in Arizona.

“The kid works extremely hard and he’s the first guy in to practice and always asking, ‘What can I do to get better, coach?’” said new East Aurora coach J’son Sanders said.

East Aurora’s Jamir Malone (32) gets an open look from just inside the 3-point line against Aurora Central Catholic during a nonconference game in Aurora on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News)

Sanders, an assistant to coach Rick Robinson, took over in an interim role in late December when Robinson was suspended. Robinson was relieved of his coaching duties and Sanders named his successor at a Jan. 20 school board meeting.

“Jamir is an amazing kid and fierce competitor,” Sanders said. “He’s happy to take over when needs to and I’m blessed to have him for two more years.”

ACC (10-14) led by as many as 14 points early in the second quarter on strong 3-point shooting, sparked by junior guard Nick Czerak with game highs of 21 points and 12 rebounds.

“This is a special gym to play in — a shooter’s gym,” ACC coach Josh Izzo said. “I’ve seen guys drop 50 here and I told Nick, ‘Don’t be shy.’ I was hoping he could do something like that.”

East Aurora’s Jamir Malone (32) looks to push the ball up the court against Aurora Central Catholic during a nonconference game in Aurora on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News)

The Tomcats reeled off a 17-2 spurt over four minutes of the second quarter and the teams were tied at 32-32 at halftime.

They traded leads in the second half, with East Aurora holding on by making 6 of 9 free throws in the final minute, the final three from junior point guard Daivon Douglas to decide it.

Junior forward Casston Cross led the Tomcats with 19 points and freshman guard Mosiah Tang scored 10 off the bench. Junior center Braden Dillon added 16 points off the bench for ACC and junior guard Marcus McGill had 11.

“Defense was the key for us, switching it up a couple times,” Sanders said. “That and finally switching from jump shots to taking it to the rim.”

Sanders was well aware of what Czerak could do.

“I used to coach Nick from like fifth to eighth grade in an ACC feeder program,” Sanders said. “He’s an amazing player. We were just trying to keep him contained.”

East Aurora’s Jamir Malone (32) swings the ball to a teammate on the perimeter against Aurora Central Catholic during a nonconference game in Aurora on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News)

East Aurora returns to action at 7 p.m. Thursday playing host to crosstown rival West Aurora in an Upstate Eight West rematch of a Jan. 9 matchup won 80-52 by the Blackhawks.

The game has special meaning for Malone, whose grandfather, James, played for West Aurora’s 1980 team that took third in the state in Class AA. His dad, James Jr., and uncle, Jordan, both played for East Aurora.

“That first game was fun even though we lost because I’ve got history,” Jamir said. “My grandpa just told me to play hard before the first one.”

His focus this time?

“Revenge.”

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/03/jamir-malone-east-aurora-basketball/ 

Randall Oaks Zoo groundhog doesn’t see his shadow

A small group of people gathered at Randall Oaks Zoo in West Dundee early Monday morning bore witness to Cedar the groundhog not seeing his shadow, predicting the early arrival of spring.

Staff uncovered Cedar’s blanketed cage under cloudy conditions, with the large rodent seeming disinterested in the proceedings. Those in attendance were given laminated signs that read “Spring is almost here” with Cedar’s photo on them. Photos and a video clip from the event are posted on the zoo’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/RandallOaksZoo.

Monday afternoon, zookeepers held a Groundhog Day party where they shared groundhog lore, facts about the animal and invited guests to sing to Cedar.

According to the National Weather Service website, Groundhog Day has its roots in European weather lore, where a badger or bear is the prognosticator, not a groundhog, and in Candlemas, a day for blessing candles. German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania in the 1700s celebrated Candlemas and combined it with the weather lore, using a groundhog instead of a badger or bear.

Students from St. Edward Central Catholic High School in Elgin did community service work last week to benefit Phil’s Friends for Hope in Addison as part of the school’s 2026 “Wave of Service.” (St. Edward Central Catholic High School)

St. Edward students do Elgin-area community service

St. Edward Central Catholic High School in Elgin held a “Wave of Service” day Wednesday, Jan. 28, by doing community service projects for nine area organizations.

More than 215 students and staff members did work to benefit TLC Pregnancy Services (Elgin); Food for Greater Elgin; Phil’s Friends for Hope (Addison); PADS of Elgin; Northern Illinois Food Bank (Geneva); Marklund Home (Elgin); Gail Borden Public Library District (Elgin); Anderson Humane (South Elgin); and The Ruth Project (Elgin).

The day was designed for students to discover long-term volunteer opportunities and to explore potential career options, a news release said.

“Service is at the heart of who we are at St. Edward,” Head of School AnnMarie Woj-Dufelmeier said in the release. “This day was about forming students who recognize their responsibility to care for others and who are prepared to put their faith into action.”

Side Street Studio holding open house, block printing

Side Street Studio Arts will hold a free arts education open house and Valentine block printing workshop from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at its 15 Ziegler Court building in downtown Elgin.

Craft stations with projects for people of all ages will be available, and there will be music and games as well, according to the Side Street website.

The Valentine block stamping and printing workshop will be led by Nicki Fortunati-Warren, a multidisciplinary artist and bookbinder born in Italy and based in the Chicago area.

For more information, go to www.sidestreetstudioarts.org, call 847-429-2276 or email info@sidestreetstudioarts.org.

Windy City Bulls game to benefit U-46 foundation

The Windy City Bulls will be holding a night to benefit the U-46 Educational Foundation when the G League team takes on the Long Island Nets at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at the NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates.

A portion of ticket proceeds from the game will be given to the foundation. Tickets are $29.12 and can be purchased at www.gofevo.com/event/U46NIGHT26.

The first 1,500 attendees will receive a Stacey King bobblehead, according to a social media post. King, color commentator for Chicago Bulls TV broadcasts, played for the Bulls with Michael Jordan when they won NBA championships in 1991, 1992 and 1993.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/03/elgin-groundhog-shadow-edward-service-bulls/ 

Por SUMAN NAISHADHAM

MADRID (AP) — España planea prohibir el acceso a las redes sociales para niños menores de 16 años, afirmó el martes el presidente de Gobierno Pedro Sánchez, en un movimiento diseñado para proteger a los jóvenes de los daños del contenido en línea.

Sánchez criticó a las mayores empresas tecnológicas del mundo en un discurso en una cumbre en Dubái por permitir que proliferen contenido ilegal, como el abuso sexual infantil y las imágenes y videos sexualizados no consensuados generados por inteligencia artificial, manifestando que los gobiernos también necesitan “dejar de hacer la vista gorda”.

“Hoy, nuestros hijos están expuestos a un espacio que nunca debieron navegar solos”, expresó Sánchez. “Ya no lo aceptaremos”.

España se une a un número creciente de países, incluidos Australia y Francia, que han tomado o están considerando medidas para restringir el acceso de menores a las redes sociales.

En enero, Francia aprobó una ley que prohíbe el acceso a las redes sociales para niños menores de 15 años, allanando el camino para que la medida entre en vigor al inicio del próximo año escolar en septiembre. La ley también prohíbe el uso de teléfonos móviles en las escuelas secundarias.

Australia ha comenzado a implementar la primera prohibición mundial de redes sociales para menores de 16 años, después de que su gobierno aprobara una medida que responsabiliza a plataformas como TikTok, Twitch, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X e Instagram por no impedir el acceso a niños.

Dinamarca ha introducido una legislación similar para prohibir el acceso a las redes sociales a usuarios menores de 15 años, mientras que el Reino Unido anunció el mes pasado que considerará prohibir a los adolescentes jóvenes el uso de redes sociales, a medida que endurece las leyes diseñadas para proteger a los niños de contenido dañino y del tiempo excesivo frente a la pantalla.

Sánchez manifestó que España requerirá que las empresas de redes sociales hagan cumplir la prohibición con sistemas de verificación de edad, “no solo casillas de verificación, sino barreras reales que funcionen”.

Muchas aplicaciones de redes sociales requieren que los usuarios tengan al menos 13 años, aunque la aplicación de esta norma varía. A menudo se les pide a los usuarios que declaren su propia edad.

La prohibición de España se añadirá a una medida ya existente centrada en las protecciones digitales para menores que está siendo debatida por el parlamento, informó un portavoz del gobierno. Sánchez indicó que esto podría suceder tan pronto como la próxima semana.

No está claro si la coalición de izquierda de Sánchez obtendrá la aprobación necesaria en el Parlamento, donde su gobierno carece de mayoría. Un portavoz del partido de extrema derecha Vox denunció que la medida del gobierno podría derivar en la censura: “Es decir, está la prioridad del gobierno asegurarse … que nadie le vaya a criticar en redes sociales”.

Entretanto, el principal partido de oposición, el Partido Popular de centroderecha, dijo que había propuesto restricciones similares el año pasado, aparentemente ofreciendo su apoyo.

Las empresas de redes sociales Meta —que posee Facebook e Instagram— y X no han respondido a una solicitud de comentarios.

Sánchez también dijo que España se había unido a otros cinco países europeos en lo que el líder español denominó una “coalición de los digitalmente dispuestos” para coordinar la regulación de las plataformas de redes sociales a nivel multinacional.

Además, España convertiría en delito manipular algoritmos para amplificar contenido ilegal y exigirá rendición de cuentas a los ejecutivos tecnológicos por no eliminar contenido delictivo de sus plataformas, afirmó.

“No más pretender que la tecnología es neutral”, dijo Sánchez.

Ambas medidas requerirían la aprobación parlamentaria para cambiar la ley española, señaló un portavoz del gobierno.

___________________________________

Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/03/espaa-busca-prohibir-redes-sociales-para-menores-de-16-aos/